Sandy Hook Promise Applauds Bipartisan Introduction of the STANDUP Act, Suicide Prevention and Threat Assessment Legislation

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May 08, 2019, 16:07 ET

NEWTOWN, Conn., May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandy Hook Promise praises U.S. Congressmen Scott Peters (D-CA-52) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) for today's introduction of the Suicide and Threat Assessment Nationally Dedicated to Universal Prevention (STANDUP) Act. If passed, the bill would encourage select states to expand access to evidence-based suicide prevention training to every student in grades 6 through 12 and train schools in proven school threat assessment models that provide guidelines for threat identification, triage, and intervention, as well as established procedures and protocols for coordinating with local law enforcement.

"The rates of youth suicide and violence occurring in our country's schools are appalling. We know that with proper training and threat assessment teams embedded in schools that self-harm, violence, and suicide can be preventable. We are proud to partner with these bipartisan champions to pass this critical legislation to ensure that more youth and adults 'know the signs' to properly intervene before a tragedy can occur and we urge Congress to pass this bill," said Mark Barden, co-founder and managing director of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting.

"Gun violence and suicide are public health crises in our country. A whole generation of children are now afraid to go to school and think mass school shootings are the norm. We need only to look at the pictures from Colorado yesterday to understand that we must prioritize early prevention, heed warning signs, and give educators and administrators the tools to stop violence before it happens. This bipartisan bill, with the support of Sandy Hook Promise, takes a commonsense, evidence-based approach to address the root problems our students face that can turn them to violence and suicide," said Rep. Peters.

"There is no higher priority than keeping our children safe. By providing high quality screening and prevention training to school staff and peers, we can identify threats before they materialize, and ensure that those who are at risk get the mental health treatment they need. Sadly, some communities in my district are among those with the highest suicide rates in our state. With training like this, we can help reverse that troubling trend," said Rep. Bilirakis.

About Sandy Hook Promise: Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) is a national nonprofit organization based in Newtown, Connecticut and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012. SHP's mission is to prevent gun violence (and other forms of violence and victimization) BEFORE it can happen by educating and mobilizing youth and adults to identify, intervene, and get help for at-risk individuals. SHP is a moderate, above-the-politics organization that supports sensible program and policy solutions that address the "human side" of gun violence by preventing individuals from ever getting to the point of picking up a firearm to hurt themselves or others. Our words, actions, and impact nationwide are intended to honor all victims of gun violence by turning our tragedy into a moment of transformation. For more information, visit www.sandyhookpromise.org or call 203-304-9780.

Media Contact:
Dini von Mueffing Communications | Stephanie Morris | [email protected] | 646-650-5005

SOURCE Sandy Hook Promise